This study examined the effect of MMP9 gene on the biological behaviors of trophoblasts and explore the relation between MMP9 gene and the "superficial implantation of placenta". In vitro cultured trophoblasts (TEV-1 cells) were transfected with synthesized double-stranded MMP9 RNA (siRNA) by using lipofectamine2000™ technique and the expressions of MMP9 mRNA and protein and the growth and invasiveness of the TEV-1 cells were determined. Our results showed that siRNA transfection could significantly inhibit the expression of MMP9 gene in the TEV-1 cells and the growth and invasiveness of the TEV-1 cells transfected RNA was significantly reduced (P<0.01). We are led to conclude that silencing of MMP9 gene with siRNA can inhibit the growth and invasiveness of trophoblasts and increasing the expression of MMP9 might help prevent and treat preeclampsia.

Objective To develop a scale for evaluating the curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for liver disease under the guidance of the theory of TCM, and to improve the TCM efficacy evaluation standard system for liver disease. Methods According to the TCM theory, the concept model of the liver disease-specific scale was built in combination with the international connotation of QOL and patient-reported outcomes ( PRO). A primary clinical scale was established after item pool screening, field test, culture adaptation and clinical pre-survey by the research staff. Finally, 200 questionnaires were distributed and 198 questionnaires were reclaimed. Statistical analysis was conducted to choose the items. Results All the selected items were analyzed by the different statistical methods, including significance grading, discrete tendency ( coefficient of variation ) method, stepwise regression analysis, discriminatory analysis, Cronbach’s al pha, and principal component analysis and factor analysis. A self-reported subjective scale and a perceived objective scale were developed, including 17 self-reported subjective items and 13 objective items. Conclusion According to the TCM theory and the international connotation of QOL, the scale of assessing curative effect of TCM for liver disease is practical and repeatable. It will be worthy of further evaluation and promotion to clinical application.

Objective To analyze the sperm DNA fragmentation in different degrees of varicocele (VC) infertility patients after high ligation of the spermatic vein. Methods There were 57 patients with different degrees of VC infertility patients. 27 patients had been diagnosed with level two VC, and 30 patients had been diagnosed with level three VC. All patients' sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were detected and calculated at preoperative one month and postoperative three months. Results 57 VC infertility patients were all suffered from laparoscopic high ligation of the spermatic vein on both sides. There was no statistically difference on preoperative sperm DFI between level two and level three patients (P > 0.05). All patients' sperm DFI were decreased after laparoscopic (P < 0.05), and level two VC infertility patients had significant greater progress than level three patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion Laparoscopic high ligation of the spermatic vein can effectively improve VC infertility patients sperm DFI. It would be better for level two VC infertility patients.

Objective To investigate muscle MRI characteristics of lower limbs in Chinese patients with dysferlinopathy. Methods Detailed clinical information of 42 patients with dysferlinopathy confirmed by Western blot or DYSF genetic test were studied retrospectively, including age, course, serum creatinine kinase (CK) and modified Gardner?Medwin and Walto score, and T1WI, STIR image. Each muscle was scored according to its fatty degeneration evaluated on T1WI (fat replacement score). The patients were divided into 3 groups:Miyoshi myopathy (MM), limb girdle muscle dystrophy 2B (LGMD 2B) and preclinical stage (asymptomatic hyperCKemia or exercise intolerance). The data including the scores of each muscle between MM and LGMD 2B were compared by ANOVA analysis and Chi square test. The relationship of fatty replacement score with course and GM?W score was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation analysis. Results Thirty nine patients underwent thigh MR scanning and 36 patients underwent leg MR scanning. At the thigh level, there is no specificity that the fatty replacement was found in both the anterior and posterior parts while the rectus femoris, sartorius and gracilis were rarely involved. At the leg level, the most severely involved muscle was the soleus, followed by gastrocnemius. It formed a sandwich?like pattern that the anterior part (anterior and posterior tibial muscle and peroneus longus muscle) and the posterior part (medial and lateral gastrocnemius) were less involved than the middle part (soleus). Of 42 patients, 14 cases were MM, and 24 were LGMD 2B. The fat replacement score of each muscle between two groups showed no significant differences (F=0.066 to 3.907,P all>0.05) except for the adductor muscle (F=5.239, P=0.028), semimembranosus (F=6.703, P=0.014) and semitendinosus (F=7.689, P=0.009). Of 4 pre?symptomatic cases, 3 showed edema of posterior part of leg on STIR, especially soleus. In all patients, the fat replacement score correlated positively with course (rs=0.732, P=0.000) and GM-W score (rs=0.485, P=0.001). Conclusions The MRI of Chinese patient with dysferlinopathy was characterized by the milder involvement of rectus femoris, sartorius and gracilis muscle in the thigh and a sandwich?like pattern in the leg, which is helpful for differential diagnosis of inflammatory Myopathy versus other types of muscular dystrophy.

Objective To investigate the correlation between fatigue and coping strategies among peritoneal dialysis patients,to improve their health consciousness and reduce the fatigue.Methods A total 107 patients were surveyed with general data questionnaire,Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form( MFSI-SF) ,and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire,MCMQ.Results The score of fatigue was (83.32 ±1.54) points,which indicated the fatigue remained in high level.Scores from high to low were dialysis≥5years,dialysis<1year and 1year≤dialysis<5years.Patients mainly took the coping style with positive face.Pearson correlation analysis showed that fatigue was negatively correlated withface(r=-0.300,P<0.05),while it was positively correlated with withdrawand yield(r=0.227,0.300,all P<0.05).Conclusion Patiens should be encouraged to actively face the disease,pay more attention to their own state of dialysis and improve the effect of drain,reduce fatigue,then to reply for both mind and body health.

Objective To explore the value of combined detection of parathyroid hormone(PTH),β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)and high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)in differentiating diagnosis of acute and chronic renal failure. Meth?ods Patients diagnosed with renal failure was divided into acute renal failure patients group (n=64) and chronic renal fail?ure group (n=74) . Other patients with non-renal failure kidney disease (NRF group, n=80) and healthy adult (control group, n=80) were also selected. Levels of PTH,β2-MG, hs-CRP , PTH+β2-MG, PTH+hs-CRP,β2-MG+hs-CRP and PTH+β2-MG+ hs-CRP were compared between these four groups to choose the optimal combination for differential diagnosis. Re?sults Hs-CRP in ARF group was significantly higher than that in control group and CRF group. Levels of PTH andβ2-MG were significantly lower in ARF group than that in CRF groups but not in control group (P < 0.01). hs-CRP andβ2-MG in the ARF group were moderately higher (68.7%) and severely higher (81.2%) while PTH was mild higher (25%) in ARF group than those in control group, On the other hand, hs-CRP andβ2-MG in the ARF group were moderately higher (56.8%) and severely higher (98.6%) while PTH was mild higher (39.2%) in ARF group than those in control group. Combina?tion of hs-CRP withβ2-MG could increase total case rate (TCR) and Youden index (YI) of ARF;while combination of PTH andβ2-MG could improve the TCR and YI of CRF. Conclusion Combined detection of PTH,β2-MG and hs-CRP is use?ful in differential diagnosis of ARF and CRF.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of cerebral palsy children with liver strong spleen weak syndrome treated with integrated traditional Chinese medicine therapy. Methods Eighty cerebral palsy children with liver strong spleen weak syndrome were divided into treatment group (40 cases) and control group (40 cases). Patients in control group were treated with conventional therapy (including exercise therapy, occupational therapy, guidance education, physical factors, and psychological therapy), and patients in treatment group were treated with integrated traditional Chinese medicine therapy (acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine medicated bath) additionally. Three months were set for a course of treatment, and the whole treatment lasted for a total of four courses. TCM clinical symptoms were scored every six months, muscle tone (MAS), gross motor function (GMFM), and daily life activity ability (MBI) were evaluated every three months for both groups. Results There were significant differences in the total scores of TCM clinical symptom, MAS, GMFM, and MBI at different treatment time points in the two groups, compared with that before treatment (P<0.01). There were significant differences in the total scores of clinical symptom for Chinese medicine, MAS, GMFM, and MBI at different treatment time points for treatment group, compared with that of control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Integrated traditional Chinese medicine therapy (acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine medicated bath) for cerebral palsy children on the basis of western medicine therapy can more effectively improve function and life quality of children patients.

Objective To observe the effect of spleen-warming and kidney-tonifying therapy on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway of cerebral infarction sequelae patients. Methods A total of 60 cerebral infarction sequelae patients with spleen and kidney(yang) deficiency were divided into control group and treatment group, 30 cases in each group. The two groups were given function rehabilitation training following by the theory of modern rehabilitation medicine, and additionally the treatment group was treated with spleen-warming and kidney-tonifying herbs orally. The treatment period for the two groups averaged 3 months. Before and after treatment, the scores of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms and signs, peripheral blood TLR4 mRNA expression level, and the inflammation-related factors in the two groups were observed, and the observation parameters were compared with 30 healthy volunteers. Meanwhile, the changes of modern rehabilitation evaluation indexes were also evaluated before and after treatment. Results (1) After treatment, the Fugl-Meyer scores for motor function and Modified Barthel Index(MBI) scores for activities of daily living in the treatment group were obviously increased(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 compared with those before treatment); the MBI scores in the control group was much increased(P < 0.05 compared with those before treatment), but the Fugl -Meyer scores only showed an increasing trend(P > 0.05). (2) After treatment, the predominant symptoms and signs of hemiplegia, facial distortion and dysphasia in the two groups were much improved(P < 0.01 compared with those before treatment), and the improvement in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P < 0.05). The control group had no significant effect on relieving the symptoms and signs of dizziness and blurred vision, numbness of limbs, spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath and weakness, and darkish tongue(P > 0.05 compared with those before treatment); the treatment group had obvious effect on the above symptoms and signs, and the effect was superior to that in the control group(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).(3) For the inflammation-related factors, tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) level in the treatment group was much decreased and even arrived to the normal level(P > 0.05), and TNF-α level in the control group was decreased but did not arrive to the normal level(P < 0.05); levels of interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6 and TLR4 mRNA in the two groups were decreased but did not arrive to the normal(P < 0.01), and the decrease in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (4) During the treatment period, no obvious adverse effect was found in the two groups. Conclusion Oral use of spleen -warming and kidney –tonifying Chinese medicine combined with modern rehabilitation therapy is effective for the treatment of the sequelae of cerebral infarction patients by relieving the clinical TCM symptoms, and one of the therapeutic mechanisms is probably related with the TLR4 signaling pathway through regulating the expression of inflammatory factors.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the association between aquaporins (AQPs) expression in kidney tissue and edema of nephrotic syndrome(NS) patients.MethodsNS patients were divided into edema group (14 cases) and non-edema group (8 cases).Ten patients without NS were used as control group.Expressions of AQP1,AQP2,and AQP4 in renal tissues of 3 groups were detectedbyimmunohistochemistrywithstandardtechniquesandsemi-quantitativeanalysis.Association between AQPs expression and edema was examined.ResultsThe positive index of AQP1 expression in proximal tubules in edema group was 0.0373±0.0110,which was significantly lower as compared to non-edema group (0.0510±0.0120) and control group 0.0574±0.0100),while the difference between non-edema and control groups was not significant.The positive index of AQP1 expression in glomerulus was 0.0106±0.0037 in edema group,which was significantly higher than that in non-edema group(0.0021±0.0013) and control group(0.0020±0.0012),while no significant difference was found between the last two groups.AQP2 mainly localized in the collecting duct system.The positive indexes of AQP2 expression were 0.0498±0.0081,0.0370± 0.0072 and 0.0255±0.0103 in edema group,non-edema group and control group,respectively.The differences were significant among 3 groups.AQP4 expression was not found in the renal cortex and collecting duct system.ConclusionsAQPs expression is different in renal tissues of NS patients.AQP2 may play an important role in the edema of NS patients,and AQP1 may involve in the occurrence of edema.

Objective To evaluate Western blot analysis in diagnosing limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A). Methods The clinical records including their pathological and biochemical results of 4 patients with LGMD type 2 were reviewed. Histochemical and immunohistochemical staining were performed on muscle biopsy specimens from the four patients. The expressions of dysferlin and calpain-3 in muscles were analyzed by Western biol. Results All 4 LGMD patients shared some common clinical features, such as dorsal muscular atrophy of lower limbs and remarkably elevated CK. The immunohistochemical results showed partial or complete deficiency of dysferlin staining in all 4 LGMD patients. However, Western blot revealed that the calpain-3 protein in the muscle of patient 1 was completely absent, who was later diagnosed with LGMD2A. The other 3 patients had complete dysferlin deficiency with reduced calpain-3 expression and they were confirmed to be LGMD2B. Conclusions Western blot analysis of calpain-3 and dysfcrlin can be used to differentiate LGMD2A which shows absence of calpain-3 from other LGMD types which show dysferlin deficiency. Western blot is an invaluable method in clinical diagnosis of LGMD2A.